As a young child, Helga admired an older girl named Susie, and had told herself that if she were ever lucky enough to have a daughter, she would name her Susie. Helgas dream comes true. When, at age fifty-four, Susie is diagnosed with cancer, Harris resorts to journaling, not only to help her understand the horrific circumstances, but to chronicle these events in her life as well as Susies. Helga explores all aspects of their relationship ... the closeness of mother and daughter, as well as the divisiveness and disappointments. Within the small but closely-knit Harris family, a matter of utmost concern is Ali, Susies fourteen-year-old daughter, adopted when abandoned as a baby in China. The matriarch, now in her eighties, finds herself coping with a granddaughter in the throes of teenaged angst, heightened by the possibility of once again being abandoned by her mother. Harris writes with heart-wrenching honesty, revealing emotions that run the gamut from anguish, confusion, disbelief, frustration, to humor and hope for a miracle that she doesnt really believe in. She rues the sins of commission and omission on both her part and Susies. But always, there is unconditional love for her family and their celebrations and traditions. Helga pleads: Susie ... WAIT!

Are you a parent or teacher interested in helping children become better thinkers? How about if a process existed that could enhance children's thinking skills and also be used to enhance the learning of academic content? How about if that process is a replicable step-by-step procedure? And how about if that process is generic enough so that it can be used across the curriculum as well as in personal life? Would that be useful? If you answer yes, you must give your children the opportunity to learn the thinking tools taught in this book. Used in over 20 countries, these tools are specialized graphic organizers that are very simple to learn and apply to every day conflicts and problems. Your children can read the book-written as a story-as part of their regular reading assignments and then practice the tools with the guide included at the end of the book. Do not be surprised if you learn and use them too!